Swapnil Kusale Interview; Paris Olympics 2024 Medalist | Men’s 50m Rifle | My target is not yet achieved – Swapnil Kusale: said- Olympic gold is yet to be won, father had bought me the first rifle by taking a loan

‘My target has not been achieved yet, I am yet to win the gold.’

This is what rifle shooter Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze medal for India in the Paris Olympics, has to say. 29-year-old Swapnil is the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50 meter rifle three position event. On this, he says, ‘It feels good when you become the first player to do so. I am happy to win the medal.’

Swapnil was born in Pune, Maharashtra. Swapnil’s family is from Kambalwadi village of Radhanagari. Swapnil’s father is a teacher by profession and his mother Anita is the Sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. His brother is also a teacher.

by Swapnil Dainik Bhaskar Talked to him about his victory and his journey to the Olympics.

Swapnil Kusale’s answers to Bhaskar’s questions…

Question- How do you see this medal?
answer- I am happy to have won the medal, but my target has not been achieved yet. I am yet to win the Olympic gold.

Question: How much has life changed after winning this medal?
Answer- There has been no major change, everything is the same as before. Right now the schedule is a bit busy. I am spending time with my family. I will return to the range in a few days and start training.

Question- The final match was quite tough. What was going on in your mind then, was there any pressure?
answer- No, I was not feeling any pressure. I did not look at the scoreboard so that I would not feel any pressure in my mind. My entire focus was on the target. During the shooting in the final, the enthusiasm of the Indian fans made it clear that I was shooting well.

Question: Mother is a Sarpanch and father is a teacher. So how did you come for shooting?
answer: There is a Krida Prabodhini Academy in Maharashtra. I came into sports through that. It was 2008 when my trials were held. I gave trials for athletics and shooting, but I was selected for shooting. My career started with this. I trained at Krida Prabodhini till 2012, then I was included in the national team.

Question: Your career started in 2008, then you started playing for the national team in 2012, but your Olympic debut happened much later?
answer: After coming out of Krida Prabodhini, facilities were not provided on time. Due to this, there was a delay in reaching the Olympics because many things contribute to reaching the Olympic level.

Question- What facilities are you talking about?
answer: There are a lot of things, equipment, training, coaching etc. I still remember the day my dad bought me my first rifle. Later I came to know that he had taken a loan for it, although he never let me feel the lack of anything, but shooting is an expensive sport.

Question- You are a fan of Dhoni. What did you learn from him? Have you ever met or talked to him?
answer- Laughing… No. I like his nature. He is always cool and calm, I also try to keep myself cool like him. Another similarity and just like it was shown in the film that he followed his passion, I also did. I learn from Dhoni.

Question- There is one more similarity, you have become the 7th shooter to win an Olympic medal for India?
answer- This is even better. One more connection has been established with him. Dhoni’s jersey number is 7.